Wyoming Supreme Court Decisions

The Wyoming Supreme Court supervises the operations of lower courts in the state, and it holds general jurisdiction to review appeals in both civil and criminal cases. It may issue any writs that may be necessary to fulfill its appellate function, such as writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, and certiorari. Its original jurisdiction extends only to habeas corpus cases and certain cases involving mandamus and quo warranto writs as applied to state officers. Five justices serve on the Supreme Court, and they serve terms of eight years.

To qualify to serve on the Wyoming Supreme Court, a candidate must meet the requirements in Article 5 of the Wyoming Constitution. This means that they must be a U.S. citizen and must have been a Wyoming resident for at least three years. A candidate may not be younger than 30, and Wyoming imposes a mandatory retirement age of 70. A candidate must have at least nine years of legal experience.

While Wyoming initially elected justices to the Supreme Court, the state changed the selection process to an assisted appointment method in 1972. This means that the Wyoming Judicial Nominating Commission controls the process. The Commission usually consists of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, three active members of the Wyoming State Bar, and three non-attorneys who are appointed by the Governor of Wyoming. Once a justice has been selected, they will need to win a retention election every eight years to stay on the Court. The justices of the Court select the Chief Justice, who holds that position for four years.

Browse Opinions From the Wyoming Supreme Court
Recent Decisions From the Wyoming Supreme Court
Andrea L. Richard, Wsb No. 5-2848 v. Board of Professional Responsibility, Wyoming State Bar
Date: April 26, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 46
Docket Number: S-23-0155
Justin Lee Mascaro v. Macy June Mascaro
Date: April 26, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 45
Docket Number: S-23-0232
Wesley Walter Storey v. The State of Wyoming
Date: April 24, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 44
Docket Number: S-23-0236
Kappes v. Rhodes  
Date: April 22, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 43
Docket Number: S-23-0146

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a legal malpractice claim brought by Patricia Kappes against Diana Rhodes and Rhodes Law Firm, LLC. Kappes alleges that Rhodes' negligence resulted in the loss of a legal action against a defendant. The…

Koch v. Gray  
Date: April 19, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 41
Docket Number: S-23-0246

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around a dispute between Sharon Ann Koch, a member of the Buffalo Trail Ranch subdivision, and Melissa R. Gray, who was purchasing a tract in the subdivision. Koch, along with other members and the…

Tuckness v. The Town of Meeteetse  
Date: April 19, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 42
Docket Number: S-23-0261

Justia Opinion Summary: Forrest “Timber” Tuckness filed a quiet title action against the Town of Meeteetse, claiming adverse possession of Lot 5, a property adjacent to his own. Tuckness had been storing personal items on Lot 5 without…

Brazinski v. Board of County Commissioners  
Date: April 10, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 40
Docket Number: S-23-0157

Justia Opinion Summary: A group of residents from the Rafter J Ranch Subdivision in Teton County, Wyoming, appealed the Teton County Board of County Commissioners' approval of a petition by Stage Stop, Inc. to amend the Rafter J Planned Unit…

Soares v. The State of Wyoming  
Date: April 4, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 39
Docket Number: S-23-0160

Justia Opinion Summary: Wesley de Sousa Soares, a Brazilian national and professional jiu jitsu fighter, was charged with four counts of first-degree sexual assault. The charges stemmed from an encounter with a woman, KB, whom he met through an…

Gustke v. The State of Wyoming  
Date: April 3, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 38
Docket Number: S-23-0136

Justia Opinion Summary: In this appeal, John Gustke (Father) contests a decision by the District Court of Natrona County, Wyoming, which partially denied several motions to set aside the forfeiture of a $100,000 surety bond. The bond was linked…

In the Matter of the Termination of Parental Rights To: Pml and Egl, Minor Children v. State of Wyoming, Ex Rel. Department of Family Services  
Date: April 1, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 37
Docket Number: S-23-0168

Justia Opinion Summary: The case in question concerns the termination of parental rights and involves Chelsey Marie Smith (the Mother) who appealed the decision of the district court granting the Wyoming Department of Family Services’ (the…

Galbraith v. Fairbanks  
Date: March 29, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 36
Docket Numbers: S-23-0219, S-23-0218

Justia Opinion Summary: An automobile accident in Idaho resulted in Emily Fairbanks receiving severe injuries while a passenger in a vehicle driven by Holly Galbraith. Fairbanks filed two lawsuits: one against the Idaho Transportation…

Wilson v. State  
Date: March 27, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 34
Docket Number: S-23-0158

Justia Opinion Summary: In this case heard by the Supreme Court of Wyoming, the appellant, Benjamin David Wilson, was charged with second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and third-degree sexual abuse of a minor, following allegations involving…

In re Termination of Parental Rights To: Mmd, Jid and Drd v. State, Ex Rel. Department of Family Services  
Date: March 27, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 35
Docket Number: S-23-0167

Justia Opinion Summary: In this case, the Supreme Court of Wyoming heard an appeal by Rodger William Dillard, who contested the termination of his parental rights to his three minor children. Dillard had initially adopted his grandchildren…

Zachary Ryan Burke v. The State of Wyoming
Date: March 27, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 33
Docket Number: S-23-0212
Michelle L. Peoples v. The State of Wyoming
Date: March 27, 2024
 Citation: 2024 WY 32
Docket Number: S-23-0250
The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

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